A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Piliavin et al.'s study on the bystander effect found that the race of the victim did not have a significant impact on whether individuals were likely to offer help in an emergency situation. This conclusion highlights that people's willingness to assist others can often transcend social and racial barriers. The findings suggest that individuals may be more influenced by situational factors, such as the nature of the emergency itself or the perceived need for help, rather than the victim's racial background.

In contrast, other aspects, such as the victim's gender and location of the incident, showed varying levels of influence on helping behavior. For instance, factors like the visibility of the situation and the direct appeal for assistance can play a crucial role in whether or not individuals choose to intervene. Time of day may also impact the number of people present and their willingness to help, especially in urban settings where crowd dynamics can vary significantly. These differing influences underscore the complexity of human behavior in emergency situations and the various elements that motivate individuals to provide assistance.